The Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 1 is the showcase bike in Cannondale’s highly regarded Moterra Neo range.
The company brought out the bike aiming to create a perfect all-rounder and hoping for it to be a market leader in the e-MTB sector,
Cannondale hoped the bike would be able to take on the most serious downhill routes, along with the chunkiest climbs and still be suited for covering long distances, particularly targeting top enduro and trail riders.
“Ride the unrideable, again and again” is the tagline for the Moterra Neo Carbon 1, but does it actually fit that billing? And is it worth the eye-watering price tag?
In our Moterra Neo Carbon 1 review we’ll strip the bike down and assess whether it really is on the money.
So what you waiting for? Let’s get stuck in….
Our Verdict
Nearly as good as it gets in the e-MTB market for enduro and all-trail riders. This is a genuine all-rounder, which will take a bucket load of punishment. It’s Agile and quick on the climbs, whilst also being stable and composed on the most challenging descents. Additionally, it has an impressive battery life and quick charge time.
Although it’s not for the amateurs among us – this is a bike built for those who push the limits and are at the top of the MTB game and the price reflects that.
Peaks
- Light-weight
- Rapid charge time
- Agility
- Versatility
- Manoeuvrability
Troughs
- Price
- Not ideal for all out downhill racers
Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 1 2022
Price: $10,051
Weight/Frame
The Moterra Neo Carbon 1 has a fully carbon light-weight frame, weighing in at 24.06kg.
That weight paired with a plush suspension adds climbing traction and its enduro design helps enormously with climbing efficiency.
It’s very agile and quick on the climbs, but it also feels stable and composed on some really tricky descents.
It’s without a doubt aimed at enduro and all-trail riders, who will be throwing the bike around and need it to be purring on both the ups and the downs.
The proportional response, size-specific design, means each frame size gets its own unique suspension layout, geometry and frame construction, so it handles like it’s literally built for the customer.
This is a seriously high-spec and capable bike, which is designed to be the perfect all-rounder and it rides true to Cannondale’s goal.
You can feel comfortable on this beast over long distances too, with the handling being responsive and comfortable.
The Neo 1 will ride quickly similar to the Neo 2, with just slightly different spec, which won’t affect the overall ride unless you really know your stuff.
Battery
The Cannondale Moterra 1 is geared up with a 625Wh Bosch Power tube battery, which will give you a decent range of 108km (67 miles).
That powerful battery, paired with the light-weight frame means you really can do some damage on many different terrains.
The manufacturer’s stated range really is true to life – the powerful lithium-ion battery conserves life well and operates efficiently.
It’s well concealed and secured in the downtube and will stay firm in there on really demanding trails.
A huge plus with this bike is the charge time – it will juice up fully in around 3 hours and 40 minutes – damn good.
Motor
The Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 1 comes with a punchy Bosch Performance Line CX motor.
That will kick out 85Nm of torque – when you consider the light-weight frame too, that really makes you move.
The motor is situated centrally and has a stated max speed of 25km/h (15.5mph).
It’s a brilliant climber and very good off the line too, so as you can see it’s living up to that all-rounder reputation.
The motor itself is small and light-weight, but that doesn’t compensate on power – it’s extremely powerful and highly efficient.
Suspension
The Moterra Neo Carbon 1 comes with 160mm travel RockShox Zeb Ultimate, Charge 2.1 RCS, Debon Air front suspension and 160mm travel RockShox Deluxe Select+, Debon Air at the rear.
That set-up can take a lot of punishment and is accomplished on some gnarly downhill sections and bumpy rock gardens.
When you couple that plush suspension with the bike’s low centre of gravity you can really throw it into the corners at pace and won’t feel too much on the limit doing so.
It’s made to take some punishment and due to its light-weight frame, you can manipulate the bike without it feeling a struggle.
It’s also just worth noting the short chainstays here – only 450mm, which are designed to be stiff to increase the manoeuvrability of the bike and keep it fun, making it snappy on punishing trails.
Brakes
The Moterra Neo Carbon 1 comes with Magura MT7 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and Magura MT7 Trail HC hydraulic disc brake levers.
These are designed to take a lot of pressure and force through them, which means you can push the bike to the limit in the corners and know you’ll have a responsive brake set-up to rely on.
Cannondale paired the brakes up nicely with the suspension to allow the rider to ride aggressively.
Sounding like a broken record – It’s perfect for the enduro and all-trail rider market which the bike is designed for.
Tyres
The Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 1 comes with a Maxxis Assegai 27.5 or 29inch x 2.6inch tyre at the front, which has a dual compound EXO and is tubeless ready.
At the rear it’s set up with a Maxxis DHR II 27.5 or 29 inch x 2.6 inch tyre, with an EXO+ compound and also tubeless ready.
The hardy compound and wide base are made to take a beating and when paired with the suspension, you get a really comfortable ride.
Other elements:
The Moterra Neo Carbon 1 comes with a SRAM X01 Eagle rear derailleur and SRAM GX Eagle, single click, 12 speed shifters, along with an SRAM XX1-Eagle Rainbow, 12 speed chain.
Price: $10,051
That price speaks for itself – it isn’t cheap at all. It’s a big old investment, but you really are getting a top spec bike here.
Most riders won’t feel the difference between the Moterra Neo Carbon 1 and 2, so this really is aimed at the very serious enduro and all-trail riders out there.
We certainly wouldn’t recommend this bike for a beginner or intermediate rider, it would be an unnecessary spend of money.
Facts & Figures
Full specifications:
| DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Platform | Moterra Neo |
| Model Name | Moterra Neo Carbon 1 |
| Model Code | C65101M |
| FRAMESET | |
|---|---|
| Frame | 160mm travel, BallisTec Carbon Front Triangle, SmartForm C1 Alloy Swingarm, Proportional Response Tuned Suspension, removable downtube battery, alloy skid plate, Ai offset drivetrain, internal cable routing, 148x12mm thru-axle, post mount brake, tapered headtube |
| Fork | RockShox 35 Silver R, 150mm, Solo Air, 15x110mm stealth thru-axle, tapered steerer, 51mm offset |
| Headset | Integrated Sealed Bearing, Tapered |
| Rear Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select+ RT, DebonAir |
| E-SYSTEM | |
|---|---|
| Drive Unit | Bosch Performance Line CX 250W |
| Battery | Bosch PowerTube 625Wh |
| Charger | Bosch 4A |
| Display | Bosch Kiox |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
|---|---|
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X01 Eagle |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle, single click, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM XX1-Eagle Rainbow, 12-speed |
| Crank | FSA Bosch E-bike w/ custom Ai offset, 160mm, 34T |
| Rear Cogs | SRAM XX1-Eagle Rainbow, 10-52, 12-speed |
| BRAKES | |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Magura MT7 4-piston hydraulic disc, Magura MDR-P 220/203mm, 6-bolt rotors |
| Brake Levers | Magura MT7 Trail HC hydraulic disc |
| WHEELS | |
|---|---|
| Rims | WTB KOM Trail i30 TCS, 32h, tubeless ready |
| Front Hub | Formula 15×11 |
| Rear Hub | SRAM MTH 700, 12 x 148, XD Drive |
| Spokes | DT Swiss Champion |
| Tires | (F) Maxxis Assegai, 27.5/29 x 2.6″, dual compound, EXO, tubeless ready / (R) Maxxis DHR II, 27.5/29 x 2.6″, 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready |
| Tire Size | 2.6 |
| Wheel Size | 29 |
| Front Tire | Maxxis Assegai, 27.5/29 x 2.6″, dual compount, EXO, tubeless ready |
| Rear Tire | Maxxis DHR II, 27.5/29 x 2.6″, 3C, EXO+, tubeless ready |
| COMPONENTS | |
|---|---|
| Handlebar | Cannondale 3 Riser, 6061 Alloy, 15mm rise, 8° sweep, 4° rise, 780mm |
| Stem | Cannondale 1, 3D Forged 6061 Alloy, 1-1/8″, 31.8, 7° |
| Grips | Fabric FunGuy |
| Saddle | Fabric Scoop Shallow Elite, cro-mo rails |
| Seatpost | Cannondale DownLow Dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 100mm (S), 125mm (M), 150mm (L/XL) |
| EXTRA | |
|---|---|
| Extra 1 | Supernova Mini 2 Pro light |
Full Measurements:
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube Length (cm) | 48.0 | 43.0 | 46.0 | 51.0 |
| Top Tube Horizontal (cm) | 58.7 | 61.4 | 63.8 | 66.6 |
| Top Tube Actual (cm) | 52.2 | 55.2 | 57.8 | 61.2 |
| Head Tube Angle | 66.0° | 66.0° | 66.0° | 66.0° |
| Seat Tube Angle Effective | 75.0° | 75.0° | 75.0° | 75.0° |
| Seat Tube Angle | 67.0° | 67.0° | 67.0° | 67.0° |
| Standover (cm) | 73.9 | 74.9 | 75.5 | 77.8 |
| Head Tube Length (cm) | 10.0 | 11.0 | 12.0 | 13.0 |
| Wheelbase (cm) | 118.4 | 122.1 | 124.7 | 127.6 |
| Front Center (cm) | 73.5 | 77.2 | 79.7 | 82.7 |
| Chain Stay Length (cm) | 45.0 | 45.0 | 45.0 | 45.0 |
| Bottom Bracket Drop (cm) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Bottom Bracket Height (cm) | 35.1 | 36.2 | 36.2 | 36.2 |
| Fork Rake (cm) | 4.4 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Trail (cm) | 11.3 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| Stack (cm) | 58.5 | 61.9 | 62.9 | 63.8 |
| Reach (cm) | 43.0 | 44.8 | 47.0 | 49.5 |
Final Thoughts
This is a serious bike for serious riders and the crème de la crème of the Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon range.
It will take on significant punishment and has all the tools for the most demanding climbs and trickiest descents.
It’s powerful, light, agile, and has a battery with a solid range and a quick charge time.
This is geared up for the top enduro and all-trail riders amongst us. Only the very experienced riders will feel a great deal of difference between the Moterra Neo Carbon 1 and it’s counterparts, such as the Moterra Neo 4.
Another absolute winner from the folks at Cannondale.
Now get out there and decide for yourself.
